The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) in Australia is a one-off payment from state and territory governments to eligible first home buyers. It was introduced in July 2000 to offset the impact of GST on home ownership and has been modified multiple times since then by different state governments to target new housing supply.

The FHOG in Australia is primarily targeted at buyers of new homes or substantially renovated homes — in most states, it is no longer available for the purchase of established (existing) homes. This is by design — governments use the FHOG to stimulate new housing construction rather than simply assisting buyers of existing stock.

It is important to understand that the First Home Owner Grant in Australia is a state and territory government scheme — not a federal government scheme. This means the amount, eligibility requirements and property value caps vary significantly between jurisdictions. What is available in Queensland may be very different from what is available in Victoria or Western Australia.

The FHOG is also completely separate from the First Home Guarantee (a federal scheme allowing 5% deposits with no LMI) and stamp duty exemptions (state-based). Eligible first home buyers may be able to access multiple schemes simultaneously — significantly reducing the total upfront cost of buying a home.

FHOG Amount — NSW

The First Home Owner Grant in New South Wales is $10,000 for eligible first home buyers purchasing or building a new home.

Property Value Cap — NSW

• New home purchase: property value must not exceed $600,000
• Vacant land to build on: land value must not exceed $750,000 (the total of land + build cost must not exceed $750,000)

Eligibility Requirements — NSW

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or older
• Have never previously owned residential property anywhere in Australia
• The property must be a new home — not an established (existing) home
• You must occupy the property as your principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least 6 months, commencing within 12 months of settlement or completion of construction
• All applicants and their spouses/partners must meet eligibility requirements

FHOG Amount — VIC

The First Home Owner Grant in Victoria is $10,000 for new homes in metropolitan areas and $20,000 for new homes in regional Victoria — making the regional Victoria FHOG one of the most generous in the country for regional buyers.

Property Value Cap — VIC

• New home purchase or build: property value must not exceed $750,000
• The $20,000 regional grant applies to homes in eligible regional Victoria postcodes

Eligibility Requirements — VIC

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or older
• Have never previously owned residential property anywhere in Australia
• The property must be a new home — either purchased from a developer or built on land you own
• You must occupy the property as your principal place of residence for at least 12 consecutive months, commencing within 12 months of settlement or completion

FHOG Amount — QLD

Queensland currently offers the largest First Home Owner Grant in Australia — $30,000 for eligible first home buyers purchasing or building a new home. This boosted amount was introduced to stimulate housing supply and is one of the most generous FHOG amounts currently available in any Australian state.

Property Value Cap — QLD

• New home purchase or build: property value must not exceed $750,000

Eligibility Requirements — QLD

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or older
• Have never previously owned residential property anywhere in Australia
• The property must be a new home — either a new house, unit, townhouse or apartment not previously occupied or sold as a place of residence
• You must occupy the property as your principal place of residence for 1 year, commencing within 12 months of settlement or completion

FHOG Amount — WA

The First Home Owner Grant in Western Australia is $10,000 for eligible first home buyers purchasing or building a new home.

Property Value Cap — WA

• New home in the south west land division: property value must not exceed $750,000
• New home outside the south west land division (remote WA): property value must not exceed $1,000,000

Eligibility Requirements — WA

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or older
• Have never previously owned residential property anywhere in Australia
• The property must be a new home — not previously occupied as a place of residence
• You must occupy the property as your principal place of residence for at least 6 months, commencing within 12 months of settlement or completion

FHOG Amount — SA

The First Home Owner Grant in South Australia is $15,000 for eligible first home buyers purchasing or building a new home.

Property Value Cap — SA

• New home purchase or build: property value must not exceed $650,000

Eligibility Requirements — SA

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or older
• Have never previously owned residential property anywhere in Australia
• The property must be a new home — not previously occupied
• You must occupy the property as your principal place of residence for at least 6 months, commencing within 12 months of settlement or completion

FHOG Amount — TAS

The First Home Owner Grant in Tasmania is $30,000 for eligible first home buyers purchasing or building a new home — making it equal to Queensland as the most generous FHOG available in Australia.

Property Value Cap — TAS

• New home purchase or build: no property value cap currently applies in Tasmania

Eligibility Requirements — TAS

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or older
• Have never previously owned residential property anywhere in Australia
• The property must be a new home — not previously occupied
• You must occupy the property as your principal place of residence for at least 6 months, commencing within 12 months of settlement or completion

FHOG Amount — ACT

The ACT no longer offers a standard First Home Owner Grant. The ACT government replaced the FHOG with its Home Buyer Concession Scheme — which provides a full stamp duty exemption for eligible first home buyers meeting income thresholds. While not a direct cash grant, the stamp duty saving can be significantly larger than the FHOG in other states.

ACT Home Buyer Concession Scheme

• Full stamp duty exemption for eligible buyers meeting income thresholds
• Available to first home buyers and some subsequent buyers
• Property must be used as a principal place of residence
• Income caps apply — check ACT Revenue Office for current thresholds

FHOG Amount — NT

The First Home Owner Grant in the Northern Territory is $10,000 for eligible first home buyers purchasing or building a new home.

Property Value Cap — NT

• New home purchase or build: no property value cap currently applies in the NT

Eligibility Requirements — NT

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or older
• Have never previously owned residential property anywhere in Australia
• The property must be a new home — not previously occupied
• You must occupy the property as your principal place of residence for at least 6 months, commencing within 12 months of settlement or completion

One of the most powerful financial strategies for eligible first home buyers in Australia is combining multiple government schemes simultaneously. The First Home Owner Grant can typically be stacked with several other benefits to dramatically reduce your upfront costs.

FHOG + Stamp Duty Exemption

In most states, the First Home Owner Grant in Australia can be combined with a first home buyer stamp duty exemption or concession. For example, a first home buyer in NSW purchasing a new $550,000 home could receive the $10,000 FHOG and pay zero stamp duty — saving approximately $21,335 in total upfront costs. See our full guide on Stamp Duty Exemptions in Australia.

FHOG + First Home Guarantee (Federal)

The federal government’s First Home Guarantee scheme allows eligible first home buyers to purchase with a 5% deposit without paying LMI. This is a separate scheme from the FHOG and can be used simultaneously in most states. Combined with the FHOG, a first home buyer in Queensland could receive $30,000 cash, pay no LMI and purchase with just 5% deposit. See our guide on the First Home Guarantee.

FHOG + Guarantor Home Loan

The FHOG can also be combined with a guarantor home loan arrangement. If a parent provides a guarantee, you can borrow with little or no deposit, avoid LMI and still receive the FHOG cash payment — as long as you meet all other eligibility requirements. See our guide on Guarantor Home Loans in Australia.

Maximum Potential Saving — Queensland Example

A first home buyer in Queensland purchasing a new $600,000 home could potentially access all of the following simultaneously:

• First Home Owner Grant: $30,000 cash
• Queensland stamp duty concession (first home buyer, new home): $0 stamp duty (saving ~$12,850)
• First Home Guarantee (federal): No LMI (saving potentially $15,000–$25,000)
• Total saving: $57,850+ compared to a standard purchase without any schemes

Option 1 — Apply Through Your Lender (Most Common)

In most states, you apply for the First Home Owner Grant in Australia through your approved lender (bank or mortgage broker) as part of the settlement process. Your lender submits the FHOG application on your behalf, and the grant is typically paid at settlement — reducing the funds you need to bring to the table. This is the most common and convenient method for most borrowers.

Option 2 — Apply Directly With Your State Revenue Office

You can also apply directly with your state or territory revenue office after settlement — typically within 12 months of settling or completing construction. This option is used when the lender did not apply on your behalf, or when you are an owner-builder who completed their own construction.

Key Documents Required

• Completed FHOG application form (provided by lender or state revenue office)
• Proof of identity — passport or Australian driver’s licence
• Contract of sale or building contract
• Evidence that the property is a new home — occupation certificate or builder’s completion certificate
• Statutory declaration confirming you have never previously owned residential property in Australia

When Is the Grant Paid?

For purchases, the First Home Owner Grant in Australia is typically paid at settlement — it is credited toward your purchase costs by your lender. For construction loans, the grant is typically paid when the first progress payment is made to the builder, or when a fixed-price building contract is signed, depending on the state.

The First Home Owner Grant in Australia is one of the most accessible forms of government assistance available to eligible first home buyers — providing a one-off cash payment that directly reduces the upfront cost of buying your first new home. Queensland and Tasmania currently offer the most generous grants at $30,000, while Victoria’s $20,000 regional grant makes it an attractive option for buyers willing to purchase outside metropolitan areas.

The key to maximising your benefit as a first home buyer is understanding that the FHOG is just one of several schemes available to you. Combining the First Home Owner Grant with a first home buyer stamp duty exemption and the federal First Home Guarantee can reduce your total upfront costs by $50,000 or more depending on your state and purchase price.

Before signing any contract, use our free Stamp Duty Calculator and Borrowing Power Calculator to understand your full financial position, and always verify current FHOG amounts and eligibility requirements directly with your state or territory revenue office — as these are subject to change.

For independent guidance on the First Home Owner Grant in Australia and other first home buyer schemes, visit ASIC MoneySmart — Australia’s official free financial information service.